Richards defends inclusion of Edwards

Viv Richards, chairman of the West Indian selectors, has defended the inclusion of inexperienced Bajan fast bowler Fidel Edwards in the squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Jamaica.

"I was very very impressed when I first saw him at the Academy in Grenada, and there are a few people who did say a few things about him," Richards told reporters at the Beausejour Cricket Ground after the first Test. "There are a few scouts around who did say their little bits about that individual. This is what selection is all about if we are looking to rebuild and maybe to move forward in future."

"That, I think gives you the sort of inspiration for us to do what we are doing at present. This is what it is all about," said Richards. "We had made some enquiries about him this season, not having played for Barbados with his injury or whatever. Certainly, I saw him as being a product that we could work with in the future."

Richards added that he appreciated Edwards's attacking approach and round-arm action. "It is an unusual action, and I felt that we need people like him at this stage if we are looking to improve further in the future. We felt that he does attack the crease with pace."